Press Office and Incident Media Manager
South West Water
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Exeter • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Visit company websiteSalary
💰 £50,000 - £55,000 per year
Job Level
Mid-LevelSenior
About the role
- Leading our busy press office, ensuring timely, consistent and accurate responses to media enquiries.
- Managing crisis communications and coordinating effective incident response to protect the organisation’s reputation.
- Acting as the lead comms support during operational incidents, both in and out of hours (on a shared rota).
- Building and maintaining trusted relationships with key journalists, editors and commentators.
- Leading reactive communications, including drafting statements, Q&As, and lines to take on emerging issues.
- Working closely with internal teams to quickly understand stories and ensure fact-based communications.
- Monitoring the media, political and regulatory landscape daily – identifying risks, opportunities and reputational threats.
- Providing regular media coverage insight and analysis to senior stakeholders.
- Working with senior leaders and partners to deliver effective crisis communications and incident response.
- Working as part of a collaborative communications team – ensuring reactive work enables space for proactive storytelling in line with business needs.
Requirements
- Proven experience in media relations, corporate communications or journalism.
- Extensive experience in crisis communications and incident response.
- A strong track record in managing media engagement.
- Experience working directly with senior leaders to shape and deliver clear, strategic messages.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex topics under tight deadlines.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Confidence in building and maintaining trusted media relationships to protect and enhance Pennon’s reputation.
- The ability to craft compelling, purposeful narratives that align with corporate priorities.
- A calm, resilient mindset with sound judgement — especially when the pressure is on.
- A proactive approach to spotting reputational risks and opportunities before they arise.
- Experience managing a forward-looking calendar of potential risks and mitigations.
Benefits
- Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
- A discretionary Bonus
- Competitive Contributory Pension
- Share-save Scheme
- Various health benefits
- Wellbeing support programmes
- A range of Group Discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Financial support services
- And plenty more!
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
media relationscrisis communicationsincident responsestrategic messagingnarrative craftingmedia monitoringrisk identificationmedia analysisstakeholder communicationfact-based communication
Soft skills
written communicationverbal communicationorganizational skillsrelationship buildingjudgmentresilienceproactivitycollaborationtime managementadaptability